Broadway Friday

- Spider-Man lead Natalie Mendoza is permanently leaving the accident-plagued show, citing continuing dizziness from a concussion suffered during the first preview. In other incidents, one actor broke both his wrists, another broke both his ankles. Mendoza’s replacement has not been announced. The show continues in previews towards a February 7th official opening.

- Tony nominee John Leguizamo’s new solo show, Ghetto Klown, begins previews at the Lyceum on February 21st for a 12-week limited run.

- Andrew Lloyd Weber will launch a U.S. reality show search for the lead in his stateside production of The Wizard Of Oz. His West End production opens in February with added numbers by Weber and his longtime collaborator Tim Rice.

-Well-known Manhattan cabaret performer David Gurland died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Wednesday. Gurland, a frequent performer at The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama, is survived by his partner Rob Maitner.

- Billy Crudup and Raul Esparza will star in the revival of Tom Stoppard’s stage comedy, Arcadia, which begins a limited run on February 25th.

- The creators of South Park come to Broadway on March 24th with their musical look at the founding of the Mormon Church, The Book Of Mormon.

- Sunday’s blizzard did a number on Broadway attendance, with even tickets for the eternally sold out Wicked coming available at the last minute. Still, a number of houses did record-breaking business for the holiday week.

- Ann Harada (Avenue Q, Les Miz) will star with the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus at their gala fundraiser on February 28th.